Instant Ocean Salt Buckets going 160 gallons ?!?

[Expos Forever]

The LFS where I work just got in a shipment of Instant Ocean salt buckets. To my surprise there seem to be a few changes:

1) Screw-top lid (Yay!) They work very well. I've always hated those damned things. These are pretty nice buckets, good for mixing KalK, etc...

2) Makes 160 gallons instead of the old 200 (Boooo!) Don't know if the MSRP will change...

3) Free T-Shirt (Yay!) I usually get stuck with a stinkin' fake plant or a coupon for something I don't need or want. I've also gotten Mini-Jets, which are pretty useful.

Not sure if this is at all applicable to the US, or even the rest of Canada, for that matter. Just wondering if anyone else had seen them yet...

 

[rjrobert]

This has been the case with some in the US as well. Haven't heard of a change with MSRP so overall I'm not a fan of the change.

 

[rayjay]

I.O. can really make things confusing.
In London here, the new pail is the same price as the old one, $69.99, now for only 160g.
However, there are now new sized bags that used to be 50g and are now 55g, at the same $19.99 that applied to the 50g bag.
That would make the bags cheaper in that 3 bags total 165g and can be had for $59.97 compared with $69.99 for a 160g pail.

 

[shr00m]

you would think youd get a better deal buying the bucket, i guess its just a move to rape the consumer for more cash

 

[Anonymous]

Which do you think is cheaper for them, buckets or bags?

 

[John_Brandt]

Interesting.

I always thought the 200 gallon - 60 pound bucket of Instant Ocean salt was sadistic. It's a ridiculous amount of weight to carry by a wire handle. I can't tell you how many times I've badly bruised my ankles carrying those.

So it's a screw lid now. Does it look like salt might get into the threads and prevent the screw lid from tightening?

 

[Chooch]

My thought exactly John! Salt getting into the threads could be a hassle. Hopefully they've engineered that possibility out. I just got around to buying a plastic bucket lid opener from US Plastics. Works great and saves fingers and fingernails. Now they change the design. Hmmm.

 

[Expos Forever]

John
I just played with it for a bit, but it has a "lock" that you to hold to be able to un-screw the lid. It really does appears to be well made/ air tight. I hear you about the bruising (I should also add swearing) lugging these around.

I've done a bit more research and this is definetly the new IO format for everyone. Aqurium Systems no longer lists the 200 gallon buckets. http://www.aquariumsystems.com/frames1.htm

GD

Even though the new buckets seem pretty cool I doubt they cost IO more than pennies... a dollar? plus added shipping weight I guess.

 

[Len]

Has the actual weight changed? If not, another nutty thought that came to my mind is maybe the salts are now rated to mix to a higher salinity. IO used to be rated for 200 gallon mix at 1.022 (IIRC) so maybe it's the same quantity except it's now rated to mix to 1.025 or higher.

Just thinking out loud.

 

[dizzy]

Len,
They changed from a 6-gallon bucket to a 5-gallon bucket with a better top. The top is pretty nice. Maybe if everyone bitches they will drop the MSRP.

 

[Expos Forever]

You're a sharp one Len.

I've wondered that also since starting this thread. I forgot to read the mixing instructions but the bucket did seem shorter/lighter. Isn't this the case with Tropic Marin? (makes less than 200 gallons at higher salinity). I'm still thinking for now it's just a 20% price increase justified by a cooler bucket. I'll check both buckets (160 and 200) and let you know for sure.

 

[dizzy]

It's the same half cup=1 gallon. The old bucket held 60# the new one 48#.

 

[rayjay]

I just received Big Al's Boxing day flyer and the 160g pails will be on for $49.99 Canadian money.

 

[middletonmark]

A friend of mine emailed Aquarium Systems [manufacturer] a month or so back when we first heard of this.

According to their response, the change was for a number of reasons ... but they stated that the MSRP [or the cost they would charge] would be reduced 20% as the volume of salt was reduced that amount.

Whether that savings is `real' ... or gets passed down the line ... hard to say.

I'll try to dig out his response - as it was nice to hear what `they' say about it. I believe the 200 gal buckets would still be available, but that they would be trying to move more 160g buckets.

 

[middletonmark]

Here's the IO thread [another site] ... but with the AS guy's response pasted in about halfway down the thread.
http://www.reeffreaks.com/viewtopic.php ... =io+bucket

 

[Expos Forever]

Good job Mark

The MSRP for the 160 gallons are in fact exactly 20% cheaper (at my store at least).

So better, lighter, sealable bucket for the same great (relative) price. Nice to see that what most everyone believed (price increase) doesn't seem to be true. Way to go Aquarium Systems.

 

[gracie]

So has anyone heard anything. My lfs now has the
buckets. The price went from $49.99 to $44.99.

 

[Anonymous]

1) Screw-top lid (Yay!)

Wow, this is a great development. My ladylike hands (LOL) have the hardest time opening salt buckets!!

 

[Anonymous]

Oceanic is coming out with a new salt as well. It will come in 50 and 90 gallon jugs with pour spouts and a 200 gallon bucket size. Pricing was little more than the IO but the packaging might make up for it.

I think the IO 200 gallon buckets will still be avaliable as a "store use" size and the 160 will be pushed at the retail end. (Not positive about this, I may be thinking about the oceanic).

 

[fishfanatic2]

Hope the pricing decrease makes it to Mars, too. AT least there not ripping you off 20%.

I hate the snap lids-praise the screw top!

I will be seeing the new bucket soon, i need salt anyway.